Edo State Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability, Engr. Jonathan Lawani has charged Sweepers and Waste Evacuators in the State to ensure prompt removal of wastes from the road on a daily basis.
Engr Lawani gave this charge at a meeting he held with the Sweepers and Waste Evacuators in his office in Benin City.
He observed that the Evacuators do not remove refuse gathered in the early mornings on time, adding that some of them have the habit of picking wastes from the road even after the sweepers have left the site.
While urging them to wake up to their responsibility, the Hon. Commissioner warned that the Ministry will not condole any lackadaisical attitude so as to ensure that the State is kept clean always.
He then informed them that the State Government is setting up a monitoring committee that will ensure they carry out their duties as no erring evacuator henceforth will be spared from facing the consequences of their action.
Engr. Lawani used the opportunity to announce that the State Government has put measures in place to rehabilitate the Ikhueniro dumpsite and that plans are on-going to also rehabilitate the Otofure dumpsite.
The commissioner, therefore revealed that the Waste Management Board in collaboration with the local Government Councils have been mandated to ensure that residents and traders dump their refuse in authorized places to discourage illegal dumping.
On their part, some of the Contractors identified their challenges to include long queue at the dumpsites and indiscriminate dumping of refuse by traders and residents in areas where markets are close to major roads. The contractors then promised to support the government effort to clean the state.